South Derby Trail

Leaving the Trappers Lake Trail (#1816) you head east on the Island Lake Trail(#1842). 1/2 mile along the trail you reach the Chinese Wall Trail(#1803) junction. 1 mile further across the rolling tundra you come to the escarpment and below you lies the Island Lakes Basin with several lakes plainly in view. The "W." Mountain Trail (#1817) branches off to the south just before you reach the rim. Dropping off the escarpment you wind your way to the bench below. Half mile further you come to the Deer Lake Trail (#1802) junction, Upper Island Lake lies to your right. The South Derby Trail (#1857) starts winding on its 2 mile journey over the ridge to Crescent Lake, 250 yards further down the trail. Lower Island Lake lies 1/2 mile below the South Derby Trail junction. The Island Lake Trail continues down Derby Creek eight miles or so to FDR 610 at Stump Park.

Directions from Meeker: Island Lake, Deer Lake and South Derby trails are located 50 miles east of Meeker. Take State Highway 13 east out of Meeker for one mile; turn right on County Road 8 for 39 miles; then turn right on Trappers Lake road for 10 miles to the Outlet Trailhead. Follow the Carhart Trail around the east side of Trappers Lake to the Trappers Lake trail. On the Trappers Lake trail go 4 miles to the head of Fraser Creek where the Island Lake trail begins. The Deer Lake trail junction and the South Derby trail junction are 2 1/2 miles down the Island Lake trail.

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity

Remarks

On Site

Backpacking

Yes

Hiking & Walking

Horseback Riding

Yes

Related Activities

Chinese Wall Trail - This trail begins near Ripple Creek Pass and leads into the Flat Tops Wilderness. The trail provides panoramic views of the White River and Williams Fork drainages and the Flat Tops Plateau.

Deer Lake Trail - This trail in the Flat Tops Wilderness, leads from the Island Lake Trail near Island Lake, past Deer Lake, to link with the Chinese Wall Trail.

Derby/Sunnyside General Forest Area - The Derby/Sunnyside General Forest Area encompasses the drainages of the three forks of Derby Creek, as well as the Sunnyside Creek Drainage. The area is located on the east side of the Flat Tops, to the west of Burns.

Island Lake Trail (west end) - The Island Lake Trail begins along Trappers Lake Trail, heads generally east to the Island Lake basin and eventually to Stump Park, on the east end of the Flat Tops.

Trappers Lake Trail - This trail leads from south of Trappers Lake, up Fraser Creek and up onto the Flat Tops Plateau. It continues across the Flat Tops Wilderness to Indian Camp Pass, north of Deep Lake.